Bush
Lays Wreath at Tomb of the UnknownsMonday,
May 26, 2003; 11:32 AM

President
Bush laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery
on Monday in an annual ritual. He was later to pay special tribute to the
men and women serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A member
of a military honor guard helped Bush carry the large wreath filled with
red, white and blue flowers to the tomb. The president paused briefly with
his head bowed. A lone trumpet player then performed "Taps."

Bush
and his wife, Laura, returned from a long weekend at their home in Crawford,
Texas, on Sunday to prepare for Monday's holiday observance that included
a White House reception for military families.

"Each
Memorial Day, we pray for peace throughout the world, remembering what
was gained and what was lost during times of war," the president said in
a Memorial Day proclamation.

"From
the bravery of the men at Valley Forge, to the daring of Normandy, the
courage of Iwo Jima and the steady resolve in Afghanistan and Iraq, our
men and women in uniform have won for us every hour that we live in freedom."

Bush
gave a special salute to "the men and women in our nation's armed forces
who are working with our coalition partners to restore civil order, provide
critical humanitarian aid, and renew Afghanistan and Iraq."

"Americans
stand with the families who grieve, and we share in their great sorrow
and great pride," he said. "There will be no homecoming on this earth for
those lost in battle, but we know that this reunion will one day come."

Bush
designated 11 a.m. Monday in each time zone as a time for Americans to
unite in prayer. He also called on Americans and the news media to observe
a National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3 p.m. local time.

Remarks
by the President on Memorial DayArlington
National CemeteryArlington,
VirginiaMay
26, 2003 - 11:33 A.M. EDT

THE
PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much for the warm welcome. Mr. Secretary,
thank you for your leadership. Secretary Principi, members of the United
States Congress, General Myers, members of the Joint Chiefs, General Jackson
and Colonel Ray and Colonel Steedley, veterans, honored guests and my fellow
Americans, we come to this Memorial Day with deep awareness of recent loss
and recent courage.

Beyond
the Tomb of the Unknowns, in Section 60 of Arlington
Cemetery, we have laid to rest Americans who fell in the battle of Iraq.
One of the funerals was for Marine Second Lieutenant
Frederick Pokorney Junior, of Jacksonville, North Carolina. His wife,
Carolyn, received a folded flag. His two year old daughter, Taylor, knelt
beside her mother at the casket to say a final goodbye.

An
uncle later said of this fine lieutenant, "He was proud of what he was
doing and proud of his family, a hard working guy -- the best guy you can
ever know. I hope the American people don't forget." This nation does not
forget.

Last
month, in Section 60, First Lieutenant Rob
Jenkins was buried, along with five other members of a bomber crew.
They were lost when their plane was shot down over North Africa in 1942.
Rob Jenkins had joined the Army Air Corps after Pearl Harbor, and he was
20 years old on his final mission.

Six
decades later, his plane was found and the remains of the crew were carefully
identified, returned home and buried with military honors. Rob's sister,
Helen, said, "We were very proud that the government would care that much.
After all, it was such a long time ago." This nation does not forget.

On
Memorial Day, Americans place flags on military graves, walk past a wall
of black granite in Washington, D.C., and many families think of a face
and voice they miss so much. Today, we honor the men and women who have
worn the nation's uniform and were last seen on duty. From the battles
of Iraq and Afghanistan, to the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, to the
trials of World War, to the struggles that made us a nation, today we recall
that liberty is always the achievement of courage.

And
today we remember all who have died, all who are still missing and all
who mourn. And on this day, especially, our nation is grateful to the brave
and fallen defenders of freedom. In every generation of Americans we have
found courage equal to the tasks of our country. The farms and small towns
and city streets of this land have always produced free citizens who assume
the discipline and duty of military life. And time after time, they have
proven that the moral force of democracy is mightier than the will and
cunning of any tyrant.

The
widow of one of our Marines in Iraq made this point very simply. "There
is good and evil in the world." she said, "That's what's going on. And
he was the good." All the good people we honor today were willing to die
in the service of our country and our cause. Yet all of them wanted to
live. And the images they carried with them at the end were the people
they loved and the familiar sights of home.

Not
long before his death last month, Army Captain
James Adamouski of Springfield, Virginia, wrote this to his wife Meighan.
"I do my job 110 percent and don't get distracted or discouraged when I'm
out flying on missions. However, when I have some down time and get to
really thinking, I realize that for all the good times -- all the good
things we're doing here, I just plain miss you."

In
his last letter home from the Middle East, Staff Sergeant Lincoln Hollinsaid,
of Malden. Illinois, said how much he appreciated getting mail from his
family. He added, "I wish my truck and boat knew how to write." (Laughter.)
"I sure do miss them." (Laughter.) He went on, "Today would be a beautiful
fishing day. I can see it now: drop my electronic anchors, kick my feet
up, three poles out with hooks in search for that elusive, yet loveable,
catfish."

Americans
like these did not fight for glory, but to fulfil a duty. They did not
year to be heroes, they yearned to see mom and dad again and to hold their
sweethearts and to watch their sons and daughters grow. They wanted the
daily miracle of freedom in America, yet they gave all that up and gave
life itself for the sake of others.

Their
sacrifice was great, but not in vain. All Americans and every free nation
on earth can trace their liberty to the white markers of places like Arlington
National Cemetery. And may God keep us ever grateful.

Almost
seven weeks ago, an Army Ranger, Captain Russell
Rippetoe was laid to rest in Section 60. Captian Rippetoe's father,
Joe, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, gave a farewell salute at the grave
of his only son. Russell Rippetoe served with distinction in Operation
Iraqi Freedom, earning both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

On
the back of his dog tag were engraved these words, from the book of Joshua,
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage. Be not afraid,
neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee." This faithful
Army captain has joined a noble company of service and sacrifice gathered
row by row. These men and women were strong and courageous and not dismayed.
And we pray they have found their peace in the arms of God.